While I have never personally needed the hands-on experience of interacting with farm animals to know they deserve to be treated as sentient beings, for some people that is all it takes.
It doesn’t take much to realize how little difference there is between the animals they eat and the animals they consider pets at home.
Much respect to those that dedicate their life to operating animal sanctuaries. They definitely do not start a sanctuary to live an easy life and make any money. All sanctuaries are constantly in need of financial support and volunteers.
Here are a few sanctuaries within driving distance from Charlotte.